Maher aims to finish on a high in Boston event

ROWING/News round-up: Commercial sculler Albert Maher hopes to crown a successful year with a good placing in the Head of the Charles River in Boston tomorrow. The two-day event, dubbed "America's fall rowing festival", attracts huge crowds and draws a big entry of both serious and recreational rowers.

Last year, without intensive training, Maher finished 11th in the prestigious championship single. This year he is performing at a higher level and was part of the Commercial crew which won the quadruple sculls at Henley Royal Regatta. He is drawn seventh tomorrow, but would hope to improve on this seeding, and could emerge victorious.

American Michael Perry is ranked number one, and former world record holder Juri Jaansen of Estonia number three, but if Maher hits form he could prove faster than either. Seán Casey, the Muckross man who is based in the US, will wear number 12 and will have his own ambitions as he has been in excellent form in recent months. Maher's clubmate Ciarán Lewis is ranked 23rd.

Casey is travelling to Spain next month to hone his skills with an eye on being part of any Ireland heavyweight crew formed for the Athens Olympics. The Irish lightweight squad are also bound for Spain in November for an official training camp.

One Irishman who has already made it to Athens is John Holland, who will coach the Greek rowing team for next year's Games. Holland, who took charge of the Ireland lightweight four which finished fourth in the 1996 Games, has been involved in coaching the Greeks and the Chinese as they strive to make an impact in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Closer to home, discussion of the structures for elite women over the coming season was a key part of the agenda of last night's meeting of the International Rowing Committee of the IARU in Cahir in Tipperary.

Sinead Jennings is back in the picture after her participation in the World Cycling Championships in Canada last weekend.